I like how... and I know this because I have already read the story at some point, that the chapter alludes to Ron;s death and the birth of their son at teh same time. I think it symbolic and I love the idea of it. Though I do think that aside from that the chapter does move a little too slow for my tastes. I like your style of writing and didn't notice any or spelling/grammar errors.

Author's Response: Yes, this does start a little slow but thank you for reviewing!

Amazing story. I love how it is written and how you just go so in depth with their feelings. It had to be so hard to write the darker stuff of this story, from the extreme sense of loss and hopelessness to the survivors guilt and all that goes with it.

I wonder where they go from here? Will it be back to normal, can their old grudges really be that hard to let go? What will make Hermione see reason(see that Draco HAS changed, that he has let go of all the things he once held close and dear to him and isn't the boy she thought she knew)? AH! So many questions, and i feel like you've barely even hit the surface of their relationship, if there will ever be one besides this friendship.
Maybe i'm just overanalyzing it.

GREAT story :)

Author's Response: I'm so glad that you were able to get into this. I'm still working on where they're going to go from here. I mean, I KNOW, but for some reason it's so hard to write down! Thanks so much for reading!

Nicely written as always :) It was a well crafted transition from the her darkest days to moving forward again. Sometimes it takes a good wake up call to remember that life continus and Jacks health gave her this.

As always, your writing was beautiful and delved deep into Hermione's troubled soul. I could really feel for her, the grief, the guilt, the overwhelming emotions. Well done.

Author's Response: Jacqui! Thank you so much for stopping by! You make me smile. I'm sorry you have a cold right now but am happy because it means you have time for my story and your writing! Yippee!!

I'm glad they didn't "break," merely "bent" a little. ;) Such a heartbreaking chapter because we could see how much both Draco and Hermione were hurting with their distance from each other. I'm glad they're friends again. :) Great job with this chapter, excited for the next update!! xx

Author's Response: Thanks so much! Hopefully they'll keep bending and not break for the things I have in store for them [insert evil laugh]

This story is beautifully written and I'm so lost in it. It's easy to empathise with the characters and that's down to your skills as a writer. Sincerely, this is one of the best I've ever had the pleasure of reading on here. I really do hope that you complete it, I can't wait for the next instalment.

Author's Response: Wow!! What an amazing review to wake up to :) I am working hard on completing it because I really want to see these characters' stories come to some sort of conclusion. I hope you continue to enjoy this

AditiDraco95 here for your requested review from the Forums. I usually don't begin reading chapters from the middle, so I had to start with chapter one. So, you'll have to keep coming back and re-requesting for further chapters =)

I must say, this seems like a great story. This opening chapter is quite powerful and very well-written. I like the plot - or what I have gathered of the plot so far. You have presented things in an interesting manner.

The scene of Hermione crying with her newborn child was a touching one. Harry and Ginny being there for her was good. Your descriptions are simple and natural, which I like. The atmosphere of grief looms over the narrative and pulled me in. I definitely feel like coming back and reading the next chapter.

The story seems headed in a neat direction. The vagueness of events you have maintained in this first chapter adds to the interest and sparks a curiosity, so that is good. I look forward to learn more of the plot - precisely the past events - and see Hermione's character as well as the storyline develop.

This was over all quite good and I didn't see any glaring grammar errors or so. The whole thing flowed smoothly and made for a nice read. I don't have any CC to give you =)

Feel free to re-request for chapter 2 once slots are open (I hope you do).

9/10
Cheers!
AD
(AditiDraco95)

Author's Response: Thank you! I will come back as I like that you were able to pick out so much out of this and giving me some real opinions on this :)

You requested a review for this way back in April last year. I suppose the only thing I can say is that at least I haven't forgotten about you! I just let life run away from me sometimes and I neglect things like my review queue.

I don't know where you were in your story when you requested, but I read the entire thing. I feel like I owed you that much!

I'm not a huge Dramione fan. I have only read seen it written well once before because I find that it is always a bit too OTT and OOC. I find that it takes a really good reason for them to become close for Dramione to ever work.

Have you found that way? In a strange way, I think you have. If someone had told me the plot of this story before I had clicked on it, I probably would not have started reading it. That's not a reflection on you, it's just that this doesn't really seem like something I would particularly enjoy.

I'm glad that I did choose to read it, though. You write beautifully. I think that your strength is the way that you can capture the characters' emotions without saying much. The whole story has this aura of sadness and I can really see all the grief of all the characters in it. But you haven't overpowered it or made it cliche. It's really well done.

I also like the relationship that you have with Draco and Hermione. When I was reading this, I was thinking that the relationship between Draco and Jack didn't seem that real. In my head, it didn't make sense that Draco would suddenly want to protect and love this little boy. But I think that, as I read on, it made sense. I feel like this is as much about Hermione's grief as it is about Draco's grief.

I also like the parts with Sybil. She seems so sneaky and it's nice to have another plot which keeps readers guessing. And I feel like you haven't put it in just for the sake of having a sub-plot because it really does fit the rest of the story.

I liked this so far. As someone who isn't a raving fan of Dramione stories, you have done a good job in making me appreciate this!

Well done.

Jasmine :)

Author's Response: Wow, thanks so much for actually taking the time to fulfill my request. You really didn't have to, you know :)

I appreciate that you stuck to my story even though you're not into Dramione. I really am trying to make it a story that anyone could read, even if they didn't like the Dramione pairing. That dislike is bred, in my opinion, because some authors just delve into the whole good-girl/bad-boy cliche a little to much.

Thanks to your insightful points as I feel more motivated to keep going in the direction I've chosen for this!

Ah omg! That was intense! Sybil is a real b*!! You write phenomenally and with great attention to detail--it makes it that much more believable. Your subtle intertwining of Jack/Hermione with the happiness in Draco's life hints at something that shouldn't be but may eventually be even with Ron's death lurking over their shoulders. Loved it, update quickly! xx

Author's Response: Haha, yeah, Sybil doesn't have much going for her. Your compliment on writing believably is actually so appreciated as this story is meant to focus on that. I sometimes schluff off on the details so have been wrangling myself onto that more with this tale. Thank you so so much for reviewing!

I just picked up this story, and I think it's brilliant. Please keep writing, I want to know what happens. Why doesn't Draco bring his wand? How will Hermione react to Sybil? I have so many questions, please keep this story going.

I still won't become a Dramione shipper, but there's something about your Draco and Hermione that has me rooting for them.

I love the little bit of normalcy we see in the first part of this chapter with the moving. Things seem so easy between them now and their friendship is moving along so well, which pleases me because the idea of Draco never seeing Jack again makes me beyond sad. I loved how Hermione sort of rebuked him for taking a break, but he just wanted to hold the baby and baby smells! Draco loves baby smells. That's just so precious.

I'm glad, for Jack's sake, that Hermione accepted the trust fund, despite her little jab at Draco in the process. Not that I doubt their friendship won't eventually progress to more but it's nice that some part of Draco is tied in there with Jack, at least.

Poor Hermione can never catch a break, can she? I'm glad she has Draco there to help her though, with moving and Jack and oh my god, I have to skip a head a little bit but THEIR HUG. I just...I'm a pile of mush. But okay, so yeah, I'm glad her father is okay and I can understand Hermione's hysterics. She's just overwhelmed and Draco is so sweet!

I love your Draco in this story, seriously. He's just so down-to-earth, like he's been humbled by his past and he's turned out to be such a great guy, and he'll be good for Hermione to move on with. But I am glad you're pacing this so slowly, that they're developing a friendship first so that it can eventually build into something more. That's the best way to do it.

Great chapter update! I can't wait to read more. :)

Author's Response: Hee, I don't expect you to become a Dramoine-er Missy but I'm glad all the same that you're willing to read my humble story :)

I'm glad that Draco is a likable person since he's the character that needs to be made relatable in a Dramione. I absolutely love writing Jack and Draco interactions so you'll see me indulge in that (if I can get myself writing again)

Oh my god, Char. I just want to strangle Sybil. You have no idea. That woman is completely vile. Finally, things are going well for Hermione and Draco. They're being friendly and then she's going to come in and ruin it all. I could just punch her in the face. I guess I wasn't expecting a smooth ride towards a happily ever after. But still.

I love getting glimpses of Jack and Draco through Hermione's eyes. It's so fascinating to see a widowed mother who has to watch her son interact with a man that isn't his father, but still holds so much love for him. I'm glad she finally saw reason and started allowing the boys to spend more time together and bond like men do. :)

I'm sorry for my slacker ways and not keeping up, but I'm going to read and review the next chapter soon. I promise! Then you'll have to update again soon. ;)

Author's Response: Although I do not wish for you to become a murderer, the fact that you do want to kill Sybil just means that I'm writing her right! I'm glad that the developing relationship is coming off right. I totally forgive you on being slack, I myself am doing the same thing as I have not been able to finish the next chapter!

I'm sad I haven't caught up as much as I would have liked, but hopefully that'll change soon. I've missed this story and your Draco, Hermione, and Jack (never thought I'd ever say that).

I don't mind a bit of a time jump. It was a natural progression, I think. There's only so much you can write of them doing the same thing over and over again, you know? It was nice that you revisited them meeting up at the park, though. Just so we know that they still had some interaction.

Hermione's thoughts about Draco seem to be shifting a bit, in the positive direction, which makes me happy. It made me sad at first when she kept bringing up his Death Eater past but seeing them interact in this chapter, Draco being a good guy and just following her around to help with bags, must've really opened her eyes to how he's changed and matured. I like that she's not hiding behind her grief as much and that she could take the time to recognize those changes in Draco too.

I know I've said before how staying in that apartment was good and bad for her, and I think I'm happy that she's considering moving out. Starting fresh with Jack. Just because she's leaving behind the home her and Ron built together doesn't mean she's going to forget her memories of him, no matter how scared she is of that.

I liked that you ended this chapter with more of Draco, and seeing him open up to a friend. I like Mikael. He's kind of gross, but he's passionate and he seems to care about Draco. I'm happy to see Draco finally feeling better about himself too. It's still a long road for them, but I feel like things are looking up and moving forward and I'm happy with the progress they're making with each other.

Author's Response: Although I do not wish for you to become a murderer, the fact that you do want to kill Sybil just means that I'm writing her right! I'm glad that the developing relationship is coming off right. I totally forgive you on being slack, I myself am doing the same thing as I have not been able to finish the next chapter!

I. LOVE. THIS. SO. MUCH. One of my new favourites! I loved the hug- first entrance of a new love, I hope?:) EXTREMELY well written, love. Ms. Rowling would be proud!
xx V
(P.S Come take a look at my story?)

I think I'm in love with this story. You won't believe how pleased I am to have stumbled upon something so good! Since the starting, your writing's been wonderful and you used lovely word choices throughout. I feel that your characterisation is good as well, and your plot is layered and well thought out. And um I hate Sybil, she's just scum on my screen :| Okay phew glad to get that out of the way!

I really like where you're going with this story, and that you're taking your time with the pacing. Take all the time that you need! I feel that you could write a hundred chapters of this and I would still enjoy it *feels sheepish*

I can't remember everything that I meant to comment on because I just read the whole thing in one go... I do remember you mentioning that you weren't sure how to go about with Hermione's grief at losing Ron though, and I thought you did it with realism. The whole story is believable in my books. :) I'm so stoked to read the rest! You've written something great, and I'm going to give you a 10/10 for it. x

Author's Response: Aw, thanks so much for this. It does my heart good to see that you're liking the progress of this story. As you can see in my author's notes, I've struggled over the pacing and such and have been tempted to just "cut to the chase". It's feedback like yours that reminds me of why I'm taking the route I'm going!

Sybil is scum. Unfortunately there's only a special type of product that will get her off our screens for good...

Thank you so much for this! And by the by, I think you were the lucky 300th review!

Another lovely chapter. It was nice that Draco was there to comfort Hermoine. Before I though that you take too long to update, but now I think that it's fine because each chapter is so well-thought that it' worth waiting for. The story is so real to me that, when I am reading it I can actually see it playing before my eyes.

-Javeria

Author's Response: I'm glad that you're liking it. I'm terribly sorry about the long pauses in between but I'm trying to speed that up :) I go in spurts sometimes. I'm glad that you think it's worth the wait though! That made me smile!

I really enjoyed this chapter. I liked the way that Hermione started out as the normal OCD Hermione and needed to get everything done. Draco was the one who wanted to just relax and take his time. I love the interaction between him and Jack. I think it is a spot on portrail of how a child that young would react especially because they tend to have their favorite parent at times. In this case adult.

I was excited to see how their friendship blossomed. The way that they have that ability to acknowledge one another and their meanings without having to put it all out there was nice to see. It gave it a lot of depth. I also liked how Draco wants to do some good with the money that he has rather then be the selfish brat that we have always known. I love the change he is making.

I felt horrible for Hermione when she recieved that phone call from her mother. I could personally relate to Hermione quite a lot in this chapter and I think you touched on the sensitive topic of a person suffering a stroke and how it effects their family very well, emotionally and physically.

I am so excited to find out what happens next! Keep up the superb work!! =)

-SR17

Recenseo 2012

Author's Response: I'm sorry for whatever similar situation it is you found yourself to Hermione's situation here. I haven't had any personal family with a stroke but I've had to help a few people through times like that in my line of work.

Draco's trying to do good but he's still got some of that brattiness that we know of from his younger years. He really thinks that with enough money he can buy anything but I think he's starting to learn. I'm so excited that you're liking how everyone's developing!

If the goal was good, then didn't that mean how he got there didn't matter?

^ I really liked this line because it really shows how much Draco still doesn't understand yet. Money can't buy happiness, it can't forge a friendship, it can't keep Hermione from being upset about the truth about what happened and it can't keep Jack in his life either just because they need each other.

It matters. Just because the goal is good how he got there matters as well. I think he understands that just a pinch but needs to be exposed to some more conflict before he realizes he just needs to be 'him,' whoever that is and saying 'Sorry' or speaking the truth would be the step to understanding that. Until he talks to Hermione and properly deals with Sybil he's going to still be teetering on 'I'm a good guy--but still a bad guy.'

Hugging was not in the Draco-Hermione Friendship Booklet.

^ That was funny and cute but it also made me realize just how much this story is different. You really make your other characters, Harry, Ginny, Jean, etc, believable because you still give them a 'life' and a story. In the real world because some one passes away we still have to go on with our every day lives. We still have to go to work, we have to cook, we have to clean and we have to interact with people. They would still take care of her if she needed to be taken care of but showing that Draco was the one that had to comfort her and Draco was the one that laughed with her it really made me realize that the lives of the others have been continuing where they left off while Hermione/Draco find their footing which is entirely believable.

Author's Response: Yes! I'm so glad that you glommed onto that line! I wanted readers to see that Draco's changing but he's still Draco. He's still got some "old school" values in him that he's running up against in his struggle to walk in the light.

Yay! I'm glad that there was cuteness in here! It's been such a heavy sort of story so I just wanted to inject that in there.

You actually made such a good point here of the others' having their own lives. I want to portray that more in my coming chapters because I feel like I've incidentally introduced that concept into my story in my interest to keep Draco and Hermione evolving.